Material handling mechanism



April 16,' 1935. E. G. LEWIS 1,997,592

MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheetl April 16, 1935. E. G. LEWIS MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet2 Original Filed Aug. 19, 1930 N PO.

PP. @E

' April 16, 1935.

E. G. I Ewls 1,997,592

MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM original Filed Aug. 19, 195o 4 sheets-sheet3 /N VEA/TOR r Edward G. Lew/5 WBWQWM ATT 'Y.5.

April E62 'i935 E. G. LEWIS MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-sheet 4original Filed Aug. 19, 1930 NVENTOR: Edward G. Lew/'s BY ATTE/5.

Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATES MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM EdwardG. Lewis, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Jeffreyl ManufacturingCompany, a-cr vporation of Ohio `Original application August 19, 1930,Serial No. 476,396. Divided and this applicationrlpril 22,

1932 Serial N0. 606,995. In Great September 30, 1930 24 Claims.

` My invention relates to loading machines of the type adapted to betransported over mine tracks in a mine and one of its objects is theprovision of improved and efficient mechanism for supporting a gatheringconveyor section of the loading machine for transportation along bothcurved and straight portions of the mine track in a mine. Y

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved ponytruck mechanism for supporting the forward portion of a loading machineduring transportation. Y v

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, thenovelfeatures and combinations being set forth in the claims heretoappended. y

The present application is a division of the copending application ofLevin and Lewis, Ser. No. 76,390, led August` 19, 1930, for anImprovement in material handling mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine as a whole;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the front end of the machine on anenlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the rear end of the machine on an enlargedscale;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a medial portion of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section on line i-- of Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is a view of certain mechanism appearing on a smaller scale inFig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of a pony truck forming a part of the new maclnne;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the pony truck of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. l, A designatesgenerally a self-propelled truck which supports a discharge conveyor i3for pivotal movement about both vertical and horizontal axes, thedischarge conveyor B being composed of two sections B and B" relativelyadjustable about a transverse horizontal axis as will be described vhereinafter. Fivotally supported at the front end ofthe dischargeconeyor B is a gathering conveyor C which, for transportation over themine tracks, is adapted to be supported on a pony truck D, a section ofmine track being shown at E.

The discharge conveyor E and its supporting truck are substantially thesaine as described in United States application, Serial No. '38 ,647,filed August l?, i929, the United States Patent Office, additions andchanges having been made to accommodate the unit to its present use,

Britain Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the truck Acomprises a frame lll supported on wheels il and l2 mountedon axles i3and Iii, the wheels being designed for engagement with the mine track.Mounted on the frame it, as shown in Fig. 5, is a platform i5 providedwith anaperture l@ on whose upper margins is secured a ring I'i. A frameor turntable I8 has a bottom wall i9 provided with an aperture l5 onwhose Vupper margins is secured a ring il. A frame or turntable I8 has abottom wall le provided with an aperture in which ring Il is engaged toform a pivotal guide for the platform. A ring 2t superposed on ring l'ioverlies the margins of the aperture in wall it to prevent anysubstantial upward movement of frame lt relative to the platform l5. Y

A motor 2i is mounted on frame i3 with its armature shaft extendingtransversely thereof, the armature shaft having secured thereon asprocket -22 which through a chain 23 drives a sprocket 24 mounted on ashaft 25 parallel to the armature shaft. vThe upper run of chain 23 isengaged by an idler pulley 2e as shown in Fig. 3. At its end oppositesprocket 24, shaft 25 has fixed thereto a second sprocket which engagesa chain 2l (Fig. 5) to drive a sprocket 28, xed to ahub 29, which isfreely revoluble on a shaft 3G jcurnaled in the upper portion of framei8 in parallel relation to shaft 25. A shiftable clutch element 8l issplined on shaft 36 and is provided .with teeth 'd2 adapted to engageteeth 33 formed on hub 29 so that the rotation of the latter may beimparted to shaft Bil. Fixed on shaft 3B within and adjacent the sidewalls of frame YI8 is a pair of sprockets Sli and 35 which are adaptedto engage the lower runs of `chains Se and 3l which traverse the fulllength of the discharge conveyor B and are inter-connected by means ofmaterial engaging flights 38.

A shaft 39 is journaled in frame i8 below shaft Sil and parallelthereto. Hub 29 has formed thereon a sprocket it connected by means of a'chain All with a sprocket l2 fixed in the end of shaft 3%. Freelyrevoluble on shaft 39 directly above aperture l5 is a sheave d3 withwhich is engaged a universally flexible chain lil which is passeddownwardly through aperture it and thence forwardly and rearwardlyaround sheaves and it in engagement with sheaves as `at il fixed toaxles l5 and lll. Sheave i3 has formed thereon clutch teeth it adaptedto be engaged by clutch teeth [i9 formed on a shiftable clutch member 5gsplined on shaft 39. Thus when shaft 39 is driven and clutch teeth 43and t9 are.

engaged, wheels II and I2 will be driven through chain 44, the drivebeing effective throughout a considerable range of angular adjustment offrame I8 relative to the platform I5 due to the universal flexibility ofthe chain 44.

One end of shaft 39 is journaled in a sleeve bearing I fixed in frameI3. Inwardly of this bearing, shaft 39 has fixed thereon a housing 52for a thrust bearing 53 which is interposed between the housing and theinner end of bearing 5 I. Splined on the end of shaft 39 outwardly ofthe bearing 5I is a cone-faced friction clutch member 54. Engagedco-axially in member 54 is a screw threaded nipple 55 which at its innerend is adapted to bear against the end of shaft 39. A cap screw 55passes through nipple 55 and is threaded in a bore in the end of shaft39 to prevent axial displacement of the nipple relative thereto. Byloosening the cap screw and turning the nipple relative to shaft 39,element 54 may be adjusted longitudinally of the shaft and when theproper adjustment has been obtained, the nipple may be locked bytightening the cap screw.

Freely revoluble on shaft 39 between bearing 5I and clutch element 54 isa winding drum 51 having formed thereon a conical flange 58 adapted tocooperate with clutch element 54, a cylindrical brake flange 59 beingprovided at the other side of the drum. Interiorly of flange 59 is aradial flange 68 engaged with a slight lost motion in an annular groove6I formed in a sleeve 62 revolubly mounted on the outer end of bearingsleeve 5I. Engaged between an inwardly projecting radial rib G3 ofsleeve 62 and the adjacent end of drum 51 is a thrust bearing 64.

Sleeve 62 is provided with diametrically opposite studs 65 and 88engaged in the slotted ends of arms 81 and 68 of a shipper member whichis pivoted on a pin 69. Mounted parallel to pin 69 in bearings 18 and 1Iand on the opposite side of shaftv 39 is a rocking shaft 12 having atits lower end an eccentric pin 13 engaged in the slotted end of aprolongation 58 of arm 68. A lever 14 is fixed to the upper end of shaft12, and intermediate the bearings 18 and 'II a torsion spring 15surrounds the shaft, one end of the spring being secured to bearing 1Iand the other end to a washer 16 which is fixed to the shaft. When shaft12 is rocked in a clockwise direction, the shipper member is swungagainst the action of spring 15 to move the winding drum through theintermediary of thrust bearing 64 to engage the external friction clutchelement 58 with the internal element 54 to cause rotation of the windingdrum with shaft 39. Bearing 53 carries the thrust thus imposed on shaft39. Upon release of'lever 1l., spring 15 causes the disengagement of theclutch elements due to the engagement of flange 60 in groove 5I of theshipper-controlled sleeve 82.

Journaled in a bracket 16 in parallel relation to shaft 39 is a pin 11on which is oscillably mounted a lever 18. A brake band 19 has one ofits ends secured to pin 11 and passes thence around brake flange 59 ofdrum 51, the other end of the band terminating in a lug 88. Lever 18(Fig. 6) has integral therewith a bracket-like portion 18', this portionand the lever proper supporting a pin 8l in parallel spaced relation topin 11. An eye bolt 82 isl engaged by pin 8I and has its threaded shankportion passed through anaperture formed in lug 88. Between lug 88 and anut 83 at theV end of the eye boltV is interposed a compression spring84, an abutment nut 85 being screwed on the shank of the eye bolt to theother side of lug 88 from spring 84. Adjustment of eye bolt 82 andspring 84 is obtained through adjustment of nuts 83 and 85. A torsionspring 88 surrounds pin 11 at one side of lever 18, one of its endsengaging the bottom of bracket 18 and the other engaging pin 8| as shownin Fig. 7.

Adjacent the upper end of lever 18, a number of teeth 81 are formed,these being engageable by a pawl 88 mounted on a pin 89. At its extremeupper end, lever 18 is provided with a handle 99 projecting in parallelrelation to pin 11.

Withpawl 88 disengaged from teeth 81, brake band 19 is released throughthe action of spring 86. When lever 18' is swung in a counter-clockwisedirection, the band is tightened with a cushioned effect due to spring84, it being understood that tension is applied to the band through thisspring. Pawl 88 may be thrown in cooperative relation to teeth 81 tomaintain the brake band taut. In any event, when lever 18 is released,spring 88 acts to loosen the band and thus release the winding drum.Inasmuch as the brake flange 59 is axially shiftable with drum 51, theflange is made of suicient width so as to be always in full cooperativerelation with band 19.

From the above description, it will be seen that motor 2| is adapted todrive the conveyor chains 39 and 31 when the clutch teeth 32 and 33 areengaged and is adapted to drive the truck wheels and the winding drumthrough shaft 39 when the clutches 48, 49 and 54, 58 are engaged. Whileall the power trains may be driven simultaneously, if such operationshould, by chance, become necessary, the important point is that each ofthe three drives may be eected entirely independently. However,simultaneous operation of the conveyor and drum drives is an essentialfeature in the loading operation of the machine, as will hereinafterappear, and this, of course, is effected by the engagement of clutches32, 33 and 54, 58. Further, simultaneous drive of the truck wheels andthe winding drum is desirable as when it is desired to assist themachine up an inoline by means of a tension member engaged with thedrum. As another important possibility, when negotiating a decline, themotor may be shut off and, clutches 48, 49 and 54, 59 being engaged,brake band 19 may be tensioned to brake the truck wheels,

Referring to Figs. l and 3, it will be noted that the adjacent portionsof conveyor sections B and B constitute an inclined portion having atits upper end a substantially horizontal prolongation and at its lowerend another substantially horizontal extension adjacent the mine track.To each side of section B", and at its upper end is attached an arm ofwhich one is shown at 9I (Fig. 3), the arms extending along the adjacentend of conveyor section B and supporting a pin 92 upon which section B'is oscillably mounted. Each arm 9| has a threaded rod 93 pivoted to itsextremity, each rod being provided at its end with a nut 94 and beingengaged in an aperture in a bolster 95 which extends beneath section B.Each rod 93 has a compression spring 95 mounted thereon between thebolster and nut. Section B is thus resiliently supported on. bolster 95and its position relative to section B may be adjusted as desired byappropriate adjustment of nuts 94. The conveyor as a whole is supportedfor movement about shaft 30 so that its lower end may rest upon thetrack E or may be elevated for transportation. An apron L93 is sodisposed as to guard the lower runs of the con- Cil veyor chains frominterference with Vthe underlying parts of the machine.

At the forward end of the inclined conveyor portion are secured plates91V and 98 each of which has a forward horizontal portion extendingtransversely of the conveyor and provided with a plurality of aperturesas at 99 and |00, in which may be engaged pins I| and |02 to projectbelow the shoes into lateral engagement with the track rails to preventlateral displacement of the conveyor. At its rear end, plate 31 supportsa pair of sheaves |04 and |05 on substantially upright axes while plate98 similarly supports a sheave |86. .Y

, Supported betweenV upright arms |01 and |08 is a panel |83 upon whichare arranged the various electrical control appliances. Arm |08 alsorevolubly supports at its upper end a sheave H0 on a horizontal axis andspaced inwardly of the'sheave (Fig. 4), the arm is provided withparallel jaws Directly opposite arm |03 a sheave ||2 is revolublymounted on a bracket I |3 on an upright axis.

To the forward end of conveyor section B is pivoted on a pivot member|I4 disposed on the central longitudinal line of the conveyor section, abracket or mounting member I |5 comprising angular sections I i6 and Ii1. The bracket is capable of swinging from one side of the forward endof section B" to the other. A horizontal angle bar H8 secured adjacentthe extremity of bracket portion ||1 has a depending 1ug7||9 adapted toengage behind an arcuate rail formed on a flange |2| secured to theconveyor section end, rail |20 having pivot member |I4 as its center,Extending transversely of the upper end of portion ||1 opposite anglebar ||8 is a channel member |22, while at the lower extremity of portioni |1 is fixed a shoe |23.-

As may be seen most clearly from Fig. 2, the gathering conveyor Ccomprises a normally horizontal portion C and an inclined portion C. Abase plate |24 extends throughout conveyor C and has disposedthereonsuitable guide members as at |25 for an endless conveyor chain|21 exible both horizontally kand vertically. The conveyor chain isadapted to advance along one side of plate |24 and lreturn along theother. Flights |28 attached to the chain at intervals are yadapted vtoengage material and move it along the base plate and discharge it fromthe upper extremity of the inclined section. Flights |28 are freelyexposed laterally on portion C ofl conveyor C, material retaining sidewalls |29 and |30 being provided along vthe inclined edges of section C.

The conveyor head shaft I3! has a sprocket xed thereto and engagingchain |21 to drive the latter, a foot sprocket being arranged on shaft|32. gear-'|33 engaged by a drive pinion |34 which in turn is drivenfrom the armature shaft of a motor I'mounted on a suitable basesupported on plate |24 intermediate the runs of chain |21. Extendingforwardly fromniotor |35 and centrally of plate |25 is an upright bailleboard |36 at the extremity of which is an upright post |31 providedwithan aperture |38 and a bifurcated extremity |39.

Adjacent head shaft |3| plate `|24 has secured thereto a bracket havingspaced side walls of which one is sho-wn at |40 (Fig. 2) projectingdownwardly and adapted to receive channel |22 between them. Walls I 4.0are perforated to re- -ceivea removable pin |41 which is adapted to ex-Also fixed on shaft |3| is a bevel.

tend through channel |22 to unite the gathering conveyor C with mountingmember ||5, already described.

It will be evident that conveyor C may be adjusted relative to conveyorB about an axis dened by pivot member I I4 and about a horizontal axisdefined by pin |4|. Due to the spaced relation'of pin |4| to the top andbottom walls of channel |22, conveyor C may also be adjustedY relativeto conveyor Babout a longitudinally extending axis. The upper'end ofconveyor C is normally supported on the upper end of bracket portion I1on a rocking block or bolster |42.

In operation, portion C' of the gathering'conveyor C assumes theposition shown in Fig. 2 wherein it is adapted to rest directly on themine floor and to be swung thereover in the manner which has beendescribed in my application. first mentioned above. When the machine isto be transported, however, the gathering conveyor is supported on thepony truck D as shown in Fig. l.

The vpony truck D, as most clearly shown in Figs 8 and 9, comprises apair of axles |43 and |44 upon which are mounted wheels |45 and |43, theaxles being joined'by means of a frame |41 composed of angle bars ofsufficient width tobring their top surfaces substantially to the tops ofthe Wheels |45 and |46. Exactly` centrally of frame |41 is mounted avertical pin |43 having a rounded extremity and concentrically with thepin is mounted aV ring V|43 of relatively large diameter. Struts and |5|are interposed between the overhanging ring portions and axles |43 and I44,'while struts |52 and |53 are interposed between the axlns and thecentral member of frame |41. Adjacent the lower extremity o portion C"of the gathering conveyor is xed an inverted cup-like member |54 on thecentral longitudinal line of the conveyor.

When the machine is to be moved about the mine, the gathering ,conveyoris tilted about pin |4I, the pony truck placed thereunder and pin |48engaged in cup |54. Pin |43 is of such height as Would Venable it tosupport the gathering conveyor with portion C, thereof spaced above ring|49 in parallel relation to .the plane of the latter. However, due tothe disposition of cup |54 relative to the length of conveyor C the-ior- Vward portion of the latter overbalances the rear portion,elevating the forward end of conveyor B thro-ugh the describedconnection and bringing the parts to the position shown in Fig. 1, plate|24, forward of cup |54, resting on ring |49. Thus in transporting themachine, the weight of conveyor C and of the forward end of conveyor Bis divided between pin |48 and ring |43, this relation being maintainedin all angular positions of conveyor C relative to the truck.

VInasmuch as the gathering conveyor is of'considerable weight, it isdesirable to provide motor operated means forelevating it into suchposition as to enable the pony truck to be placed thereunder. A casting|55 secured to base plate |24 forwardly of head shaft `|3|, has a pairof spaced upwardly projecting ears |58 and |51 which support a pin |58which extends trans-V versely of the plate, see Figs. 2 and 4. A member|59 comprising two parallel arms is pivoted at one endl on pin |58 andat its other end has a bailV |60 pivoted thereto by means of a pin IGI.A cable |62 secured to the bail is passed forn ward through aperture |38of post |31 and secured, the cable when taut permitting member |59 totake the position shown in Fig. 2. Intermediate the upper ends of thearms comprising member |59 a block |53 is mounted. on pin |6I,

this block revolubly supporting a pair of sheaves |64 and |65. A tubularmember |66 is pivoted at |61 to a casting on the motor frame. andprojects rearwardly between the arms of member |59. Forwardly of member|59, member |66 is provided with a downwardly projecting longitudinallyslotted web |68 in the slot of which is engaged a removable pin |59extending between and supported by the arms of member |59. Abutment ofpin |69 with the lower end of the slot of web |68 serves to hold member|59 in the upright position of Fig. 2 and also serves to hold member |66in the position shown in Fig. 2, members 59 and |66 thus acting asmutual props.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, a rope or cable |10 is adapted to have one ofits ends engaged with drum 51. 'I'hence the cable is adapted to betrained forwardly over sheave ||0, thence around sheaves |65, rearwardlyto and around sheave ||2, again forwardly and around sheave |64, andnally rearwardly again to be anchored between jawsrlll. t will beevident that upon rotation of drum 5'.' in the winding direction andconsequent tensioning of rope 10, a substantially horizontally directedpull will be exerted on conveyor C abe-ve pivotpin |4| due to theattachment of block |63, which supports sheaves |64 and |65 to the upperend of member |59. Tensioning of cable |62 arresting any tendency ofmember |59 to swing about pin |58, it will be evident that the forwardend of conveyor C will be swung upwardly. After the pony truck has beenplaced as has been above described, the tension on rope may be released.

The controller for motor |35 is disposed on panel |89 and novel meansare provided for supporting the electrical conductors intermediate thecontroller and the motor.

vertically reciprocable in bearings |1| and |12 on upright |01 is atubular member |13 having a horizontal projecting upper extension |14whose extremity is outwardly flared. Conductor cable |15 is trainedthrough the tubular housing constituted by portions |13 and |14 andthence is passed through tubular member |66 to the motor, the freeextremity of member |66 being outwardly flared. During operation of thegathering conveyor it is desired that the cable portion intermediate thetwo tubular supports be elevated so as not to interfere with the passageof material from one conveyor to the other and such disposition isillustrated in Figs. 2 and 3,

I member |66 being maintained in the position shown by the means alreadydescribed. Bearing |1|, on the other hand, is provided with a recess |16adapted to be engaged by a lug |11 on tubular member |13, the lug, whenso positioned, being engageable by a latch |18 hung on bearing |1|. Itwill be evident that the walls of the recess |16 engaging the lugprevent rotation of element |13 and thereby prevent accidentaldisengagement of the lug from the latch, the latter serving to hold thetubular guide element in the position of downwardly, therebyconsiderably'decreasing the height of the machine as a whole.

Various maneuvering possibilities of the machine for the purpose ofgathering material have been described in the application firstmentioned above and need not be repeated here. Attention may merely becalled to the fact that rope |10, due to the stud mounting of sheaves||0, ||2, |64 and |65, may be quickly dismounted therefrom and engagedwith sheaves |04 or sheaves |05 and |06 to effect swinging of thegathering conveyor.

It should be particularly noted that the hoisting mechanism forelevating the gathering conveyor above the track to provide space forthe pony truck to be moved under the same is below the upper horizontalplane extending through the top of the discharge conveyor B. It willalso be seen that when the hoisting mechanism lets the gatheringconveyor C descend so that the cup |54 fits over the pin |48 theoverbalanced weight of the gathering conveyor in advance of the pin |48will effect the lifting of the conveyor section B to clear the minetrack for transportation as shown in Fig. 1. The tension on the ropes orcables |62 and |19 may be entirely relieved during transportationbecause the ring |49 coacts with the pin |48 to support the gatheringconveyor not only on straight portions of the mine track but also oncurves. During transportation around curves of the mine track thegathering conveyor slides arcuately on the ring |49 while pivoting onthe upright axis of the pin |48, and at the same time there is arelative swinging of the conveyors B and C on the upright axis at ||4.When the loading machine illustrated in Fig. 1 travels around curves inthe mine track the discharge conveyor B will swing on the upright axisat I6, |1, 20 (Fig. 5), the conveyors B and C will swing on the uprightaxis at I4, and the conveyor C will swing on the upright axis at |48,while the loose connection between the conveyors at |4| permits thebottom of the gathering conveyor C to keeping rmly seated on thesupporting ring |49.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in thedetails and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended and Iwish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction hereindisclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what Idesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a truck, ofan elongated conveyor mounted on said truck for pivotal movementrelative thereto about a horizontal axis, the receiving end of saidconveyor overbalancing its delivery end, a gathering conveyor having itsdelivery end pivoted to the receiving end of said firstnamed conveyorfor movement relative thereto on a horizontal axis, a supplemental truckadapted to be placed under said gathering conveyor when the latter iselevated, and means comprising a pin and cup between the gatheringconveyor and said supplemental truck when the latter is so placed, saidpin and cup being located relative to the center of gravity of saidgathering conveyor to cause the receiving end of the latter whenreleased to overbalance its delivery end and thus rock said gatheringconveyor about its truck engaging means to elevate the delivery end ofsaid gathering conveyor together with the receiving end of saidelongated conveyor.

2. In loading apparatus, the combination with `a support, of anelongated conveyor mounted thereon with the receiving end of saidconveyor adjustable in elevation, a gathering Vconveyor connected tosaidelongated conveyor, and a supplemental arcuate support for saidgathering conveyor at a point to cause an cverbalanced portion of thegathering conveyor to elevate the receiving end of saidelongatedconveyor.

3. In loading apparatus, the combination with a main truck adapted Vtotravel on a mine track, of an elongated conveyor mounted thereon withits receiving end adapted to be varied in elevation, a gatheringconveyor connected to the receiving end of said elongated conveyor, aVring pony truck for supporting said gathering conveyor in elevatedposition, and connecting mechanism between said pony truck and thebottom of said gathering conveyorY at a point to cause a forwardoverbalanced portion of said gathering conveyor to elevate the receivingend of said elongated conveyor.

e. Inja machine of the class described, a conveyor line cornprisiniT twohorizontally extending sections pivoted together on a transversehorizontal axis, a wheel mounted base supporting one of said sectionsand a pony truck for supporting the other of said sections, there beingsupporting means between said pony truck and said other of said sectionscomprising a disengageable thrust and pivot bearing permitting relativeswinging of the pony truck and the section supported thereby on avertical axis and universal tilting on horizontal axes, and a horizontalring mounted on said pony truck in concentric relation with said bearingand in a position above the remaining truck structure externally of thering, the pony truck supported section having a bottom'inclined over`the pony truck and slidably supported on. said ring, said inclinedbottom extending beyond the ring and substantially below the top planethereof.

\5. In a machine of the class described, a conveyor line comprising twohorizontally extending sections pivoted together on a transversehorizontal axis, a wheel mounted base supporting one of said sectionsanda pony truck for supporting the other' of -said sections, therevbeing supporting means between said pony .truck and said other of saidsectionsy comprising 'a disengageable thrust and pivot bearingpermitting relative swinging of the pony truck and the section supportedthereby on a vertical axis and universal tilting on horizontal axes, anda horizontal arcuate bar mounted on one end of said pony truck andextending transversely of the latter in concentric relation with saidbearing and free of external obstruction throughout .a lsubstantialvertical extent below the bar, the pony truck supported section having abottom inclined over the pony truck and slidably supported on said bar,said inclined bottom extending beyond the bar and substantially belowthe top plane thereof.

6. In a machine of the class described, aconveyor line comprising twohorizontally extending sections pivoted together on a transversehorizontal axis, a wheel mounted base supporting one of said sectionsand a ponytruck for supporting-the other of said sections, there beingsupporting means between said Vpony truck and said other of saidsections comprisingv adisengageable thrust and pivot bearing permittingrelativeswinging ofthe pony truck Vand the section Supported thereby ona vertical axis Yand universal tilting on horizontal axes, and ahorizontal ring mounted on said pony truck in concentric relation withsaid bearing pivot above the pony truck wheels and projecting forwardlyand l 4rearwardly beyond the remainder ofthe pony truck structure sothat the front and rear portions of the ring are free of externalobstruction throughout a substantial vertical extent below the ring, thepony trucksupported section `having a bottom inclined over the ponytruck the other of said sections, there being supporting means betweensaid pony truck and said other of said sections comprising adisengageable thrust and pivot bearing permitting relative swingingofthe pony truck and the section suppo-rted thereby on a vertical axis anduniversal vtilting on horizontal axes, and a horizontal arcuaterbarmounted on one end of said pony truck and extending transversely thereofin concentric rela-V tion with said bearing above the pony truck wheelsYand projecting outwardly beyond the remainder of the pony ,truckstructure so that the bar is free of external obstruction throughout asubstantial vertical extent below the bar, the

pony truck supported section having a bottom inclined over the ponytruck and slidably sup- 'l ported Von said bar, said inclined bottomextending beyond the bar and substantially below the top plane thereof.Y.

8. A pony truck comprisinga wheel supported frame, a horizontal ringmounted on said frame in al position above the remaining truckstructureexternally of the ring, and a pivot member on said frame centrally ofsaid ring, said ring being adapted to support slidingly a frame slopedacross the plane of said ring to project therebelow and pivotal aboutsaid pivot member on a vertical axis.

9. A pony truck Vcomprising a wheel supported frame, a horizontal ringmounted on said frame in aposition above the remaining truck structureexternally of the ring,rand a pivot member on said frame centrally ofsaid ring, the ring pro-l jecting forwardly and rearwardly beyond theends of Vthe truck frame, said ring being adapted to support slidingly aframe Ysloped across the plane of ksaid ring to project therebelow andpivotal aboutsaid pivot member on a Vvertical axis.

l0. A pony truckcomprising a wheel supported frame, a; horizontalarcuate bar mounted on one end of said frame in a position above theremaining truck structure outwardly of said bar,'and a pivot ymember onsaid frame at the center of the arc on whichsaid bar extends, said barbeing adapted to support slidably a frame slopedacross the plane of saidbar to project-therebelowand pivotal about said pivot member on avertical ax1s.

' ll. A pony truck comprising a wheel supported frame, a horizontalarcuate bar mounted on one end of said frame in a position above theremaining truck structure outwardly of said bar, and a pivot member onsaid frame at the center of the arc on which said bar extends, thebarbeing above the truck wheels and projecting outwardly beyond the endof the truck frame on which it is mounted, said bar being adapted tosupport slidingly a frame sloped across the plane of said bar to projecttherebelow and pivotal about said pivot member on a vertical axis.

l2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a truckadapted to travel on a mine track, of an elongated discharge conveyormounted on said truck and pivoted thereto on vertical and horizontalaxes, the receiving end of said conveyor overhanging the truck andextending downwardly in proximity to the track, a gathering conveyorhaving its delivery end pivoted to the receiving end of said dischargeconveyor on vertical and horizontal axes, a pony truck and a universaljoint between said pony truck and said gathering conveyor to afford asupport for the gathering conveyor on said pony truck while perinittingthe gathering conveyor to tilt either longitudinally or laterallyrelative to the pony truck.

13. Ina machine of the class described, the combination with a truckadapted to travel along a mine track, of an elongated conveyor mountedon said truck and pivoted thereto on an upright axis, the receiving endof said conveyor overhanging the truck and extending downwardly inproximity to the track, a gathering conveyor having its delivery endpivoted to the receiving end of said rst-named conveyor on an uprightaxis, an additional truck, and means for supporting said gatheringconveyor on said additional truck with universal tilting movementbetween the gathering conveyor and said additional truck.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a truckadapted to travel over a mine track, of an elongated conveyor mounted onsaid truck, a gathering conveyor having its delivery end pivoted to thereceiving end of said rst-named conveyor for movement relative theretoon upright and horizontal axes, a supplemental truck, a universal jointbetween said supplemental truck and said gathering conveyor, and anabutment on the supplemental truck for limiting the movement of thegathering conveyor relative toV said supplemental truck.

15. In a loading apparatus, the combination with a truck adapted totravel along a mine track, of an elongated conveyor mounted thereon,gathering mechanism adapted to gather material from the mine iloor.inadvance of the mine track, a pony truck, a universal joint between saidpony truck and said gathering mechanism, and an arcuate abutment servingas a track upon which said gathering mechanism may slide when theloading apparatus is traveling along a curved portion of said minetrack.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a truck,of an elongated conveyor mounted on said truck for pivotal movementrelatively thereto about a horizontal axis, the receiving end of saidconveyor over-balancing its delivery end, a gathering conveyor havingits delivery end pivoted to the receiving end of said iirst-namedconveyor for movement relative thereto on a horizontal axis, asupplemental truck adapted to be placed under said gathering conveyorwhen the latter is elevated, a universal joint for'connecting saidsupplemental truck to said gathering conveyor when said supplementaltruck is placed under said gathering conveyor, said universal jointbeing located relative to the center of gravity of said gatheringconveyor to cause the receiving end of the latter when released tooverbalance its delivery end and thus rock said gathering conveyor aboutsaid universal joint as a fulcrum to elevate the delivery end of thegathering conveyor together with the receiving end of said elongatedconveyor.

17. In loading apparatus, the combination with a support, of anelongated conveyor mounted thereon with the receiving end of saidconveyor adjustable in elevation, a gathering conveyor connected to saidelongated conveyor, and a supplemental support having a universal jointfor connection to said gathering conveyor at a point to cause anoverbalanced portion of the gathering conveyor to elevate the receivingend of said elongated conveyor.

18. In loading apparatus, the combination with a main truck adapted totravel on a mine track, of an elongated conveyor mounted thereon withits receiving end adapted to be varied in elevation, a gatheringconveyor connected to the receiving end of said elongated conveyor, apony truck for supporting said gathering conveyor in elevated position,and a universal joint between said pony truck and the bottom of saidgathering conveyor at a point rearward of the center of gravity of saidgathering conveyor to cause a forward overbalanced portion of saidgathering conveyor to elevate the receiving end of said elongatedconveyor.

19. In loading apparatus, the combination with a truck adapted to travelalong a. mine track, of an elongated conveyor pivotally connected tosaid truck for movement relative thereto on a horizontal axis, agathering conveyor pivoted to the receiving end of said elongatedconveyor, a pony truck for supporting said gathering conveyor inelevated position for transportation along said mine track, and auniversal joint between said pony truck and said gathering conveyor tosupport the latter for longitudinal and lateral tilting movementsrelatively to said pony truck with the center of gravity of thegathering conveyor forward of said universal joint to cause the forwardportion of said gathering conveyor to move downwardly on such universaljoint and effect elevation of the receiving end of said elongatedconveyor by the pivotal connection between the conveyors when saidgathering conveyor is loaded on said pony truck.

20. In loading apparatus, the combination with a truck adapted to travelalong the mine track, of an elongated conveyor pivotally mounted on saidtruck on a horizontal axis with the receiving end of said elongatedconveyor variable in elevation, a gathering conveyor pivoted to thereceiving end of said elongated conveyor, a pony truck for supportingsaid gathering conveyor, a r

connection between said pony truck and said gathering conveyor at apoint rearward of the center of gravity of said gathering conveyor toeffect movement of the receiving end of said elongated conveyor to. anelevated position when said gathering conveyor is supported on said ponytruck, and a track mounted onV said pony truck in position to limit thedownward movement of the forward portion of said gathering conveyor andthe upright movement of the receiving end of said elongated conveyorwhen said gathering conveyor is mounted on said pony truck.

21. In loading apparatus, the combination with a truck adapted to travelalong a mine track, of an elongated conveyor mounted on said truck withthe receivingv end thereof adjustable ink elevation, a gatheringconveyor connected to said elongated conveyor, means on the receivingend of said first-named conveyor for supporting such receiving end onthemine track during operation of said gathering conveyor in advance ofthe mine track, means for operating said gathering conveyor in advanceof the mine track, a pony truck for supporting the gathering conveyor inelevated position during transportation along said mine track, and apositioning device comprising a uni- Versal joint between said ponytruck and said gathering conveyor in such position as to cause theforward overbaianced portion of said gathering conveyor to effectlifting of the receiving end of said iirst-named conveyor clear ofthemine track for transportation. l

22. In loading apparatus, the combination with a truck adapted to travelalong a mine track, of an elongated conveyor pivotally connected to saidtruck for movement relative thereto on a horizontal axis, a gatheringconveyor pivoted to the receiving end of said elongated conveyor, a ponytruck for supporting said gathering conveyor in elevated position fortransportation, a connection between said pony truck and said gatheringconveyor for relative movement on a transverse horizontal axis at apoint rearward of the center of gravity of the gathering conveyor tocause the forward portion of said gathering conveyor to move downwardlyon said horizontal axis and for elevation oi' the receiving end of saidelongated conveyor through the pivotal connection between the conveyors,and means on said pony truck forwardly of said connection for engagementby the forward portion of said Vgathering conveyor to limit its downwardmovement.

23. In loading apparatus, the combination with a truck adapted to travelalong a mine track, of an elongated conveyor pivotally connected to saidtruck for movement relative thereto on horizontal and vertical axes, agathering conveyor pivoted to the receiving end of said elongatedconveyor on a horizontal axis, a pony truck for supporting saidgathering conveyor in elevated position for transportation, a connectionbetween said pony truck and said gathering conveyor providing verticaland horizontal swinging axes for said conveyor at a point rearward ofthe center of gravity of the gathering conveyor to cause the forwardportion of said gathering conveyor to move downwardly on the last-namedhorizontal axis and effect elevation of the receiving end of saidelongated conveyor through the pivotal connection between the conveyors,and an arcuate abutment on said pony truck` in advance of saidconnection for slidingly supporting the forward portion of saidgathering conveyor.

24. In loading apparatus, the combination with a truck adapted to travelalong a mine track, of an elongated conveyor pivotally connected tovsaid truck for movement relative theretov on horizontal and verticalaxes, a gathering conveyor `pivoted to the receiving end or saidelongated cause the forward portion of said gathering con-- veyor tomove downwardly on the last-named horizontal axis and eiect elevation ofthe receiving end of said elongated conveyor through the pivotalconnection between the conveyors, and a ring on said pony truckconcentric with said connection for slidingly supporting the forwardportion of said gathering conveyor.

' EDWARD G. LEWIS.

